Snowboarding at Hunter

Yesterday (January 16), Roger and I met up with some friends and went snowboarding at Hunter Mountain. It was supposedly one of the coldest days (the car thermometer read 4 degrees when we got to the mountain). I could only imagine how cold it was at the top. We were wearing a lot of layers so I was actually sweating the whole time. The cold weather kept most people at home, and we didn't have to wait at all for the ski lift. I wouldn't recommend going on a weekend however; I hate waiting on line for the lift. The sky was perfectly clear, and we had some great views of the Catskills (and some of the peaks we had climbed!) I had not been on a snowboard in two years! Horrible, I know. Needless to say my legs were hurting! I only stuck to the few blue square runs they had, not wanting to hurt myself the first time out. Roger, who looked very adorable in his snowboarding gear, went on his way down Hunter's diamond trails. At the end of the day when I was ready to take on one, it was getting very icy so I decided to hit my last run on the Belt Parkway. Of course, I hit some ice and went down on my tail bone. I'm a bit sore this morning, but partying later that night probably didn't help. All in all it was a good day. Roger took some really beautiful pictures on the way home driving past the Ashokan Reservoir.

Photos

The Peak in the background is Ashokan High Point

Both me and Roger have Burton snowboards

Bundled all the way up!

Conditions were pretty awesome

The peaks in the distance are Blackhead, Blackdome, and Thomas Cole Mountains

Kaaterskill High Peak (my first climb!)

Roger's "snow angel" :)

I love the way the cloud's shadows look on the mountains

Braving the cold for a smile

Yeah, we were those people

Ashokan High Point Mountain

Slide Mountain area of the Catskills from Ashokan Reservoir

North Dome

On Saturday January 10th, Roger and I hiked North Dome Mt. in the Catskills. It was my second peak and Roger's 30th. North Dome is part of the West Kill-North Dome Wilderness area, and is 3610 ft. above elevation at the summit. We parked in the DEC lot off of Spruceton Rd. and bushwhacked (which was slightly obnoxious; a lot of twigs and branches whipping back into faces). We were going to continue on to Mt. Sherrill, but time restraints (having to be at work by 5:00 p.m.) cut the trip short.
I was very excited about this trip, not only because I had been itching to go since Kaaterskill, but because I just purchased some new gear from Rock and Snow. I was torn between two boots but finally decided on La Sportiva's Halite GTX. I am very happy with them so far, but my feet were definitely hurting, not being broken in yet. My first time use of cramp-ons probably also added to the pain in my feet (Grivel G14 Cramp-O-Matic Binding rented from the shop). After the first hour, I was starting to get the hang of them (or my feet were going numb), and I am anxious to get out there and try them again. We had snowshoes on our packs, but didn't bother using them.
I am really happy with the pants I purchased, Mountain Hardwear Castlewood. They are lightweight, and are a perfect waterproof layer over my spandex. I was very comfortable on bottom. They also fit very well (and according to someone, makes my butt look good). I got a rip in them with the cramp-ons(!) but Roger assured me that he can fix them with seamgrip. I was also wearing some Icebreaker baselayers, which I may be obsessed with (thanks to Mr. Ennis).
Even though I felt like a zombie upon arriving at work, the snowfall that we got that night allowed me to leave early! It was a great day, spent with a great person :)

Photos

Driving on Rt. 42 (?)

Getting up there

Almost to the summit

"Next year's Christmas card"

Writing our names in the log in the canister

The snow was deep at the top

Coming back down

Legs were a bit sore

Drive home

Information taken from Catskill Trails 3rd Edition, Carol and David White

Biking In New Paltz

This past fall, I bought a used rental bike from The Bicycle Depot in New Paltz. It's a Specialized 2008 Rockhopper, and in good condition. I was only able to use it a couple times before the weather turned cold, but I am looking forward to using it alot in the Spring. I rode on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, which runs from Gardiner at the Shawangunk town line, through New Paltz, and ends in Rosendale. The trail is part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway System, and is about 15 miles. One two different days I headed from New Paltz to Rosendale, about 12 miles, and from New Paltz to Gardiner, riding back along Rt. 209.

Historical background of the Rail Trail

Photos

Bridge in Rosendale

View of the Wallkill River

Rosendale


Rail Trail

Farms along trail going towards Gardiner

Apple orchard along Rt. 2o9

Skiing at Lake Minnewaska

Roger, Tony, and I went cross country skiing at Lake Minnewaska this morning. Minnewaska State Park Preserve has been called the "crown jewel" of New York State Parks (according to Roger and Tony). They both voiced their surprise that there weren't any other cars parked in the lot, but it was nice to have the place to ourselves (at least for a little while; we ran into people heading out as we were leaving).
The Preserve is located along the Shawankgunk Ridge, and is home to three sky lakes; Lake Minnewaska, Lake Awosting, and Mud Pond. The area right in front of the parking lot, where we started, overlooks Lake Minnewaska, which was covered with snow, which looked awesome. I went swimming there two summers ago, and have made a mental note to go a lot more this year. We took the 3 mile trail out to Lake Awosting for some nice pictures, then took the same trail back to the car. It would be a huge understatement to say that I am exhausted by now.

Photos

View of Catskills from the parking lot

Lake Minnewaska

Lake Minnewaska with someone's ski tracks

Blow down from snow storm

"Act like you don't know what you're doing"

"Ski Instructor Roger"

"Rainbow Falls"

Rainbow Falls

Some ice Roger wants to climb

Pretty sky

Roger and I

Tony hanging out

Lake Awosting